There are few things worse than sleeping in a cold tent. It doesn’t matter if you’re camping in the Rockies, the Pyrenees, or in your backyard, it can get cold anywhere. We have been battling with the elements since records began, but now the battle is a bit more sophisticated. We don’t have to build a huge fire to stay warm. Instead, we’ve just got to invest in a simple tent heater.

It’s the one piece of camping equipment that is often overlooked, even though it comes in so handy. There are a few different types to choose from and you need to find the right amount of power for your tent. At the bottom of this post, we’ve written a Buying Guide & FAQ section to help you find the best tent heater for your camping trip. But first, here are nine of our favorites.

The Best Tent Heater

1

Mr. Heater F232000 MH9BX Buddy Tent Heater

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Introducing North America’s most popular portable propane heater. This propane tent heater is loved by outdoorsmen and it’s no surprise why. It ticks every box we can think of when it comes to buying a tent heater for camping. For starters, Mr. Heater F232000 MH9BX Buddy provides an impressive 4,000 or 9,000 BTUs depending on what setting you choose. That’s enough power to heat 225 square feet, which is a pretty big tent.

It’s really portable thanks to the carry handle and is small enough to fit in any sized tent, from large camping tents to smaller ones. It’s loaded with safety features, including a grate to cover the heated area, a tip-over shut off, and a low-oxygen shut off. The porcelain covered heating area pushes the heat around a wide area, and it’s powered using propane canisters (which aren’t included). If you’re happy to have a heater powered by gas, this is probably the best camping heater around.

Key Features:

4,000 – 9,000 BTUs

Heats 225 square feet

Low-oxygen & tip-over shut off

Powered by propane

Specification:

BrandMr. Heater

ModelF232000

Weight9.5 pounds

Pros

Powerful little heater that will handle any camping tent.

Excellent safety features.

Cons

We can’t find anything wrong with it!

2

Honeywell HCE100B Heat Bud Ceramic Tent Heater

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The Honeywell HCE100B isn’t strictly a camping heater. In fact, it’s designed for use in the office or home, but we think it makes a fantastic electric camping heater if you have access to electricity at your campsite. Also known as the Heat Bud, it’s got a great design that will make it look fantastic in the corner of your tent. It uses 250 watts of energy, which is around 750 BTU if you’re comparing it to a gas heater (the power output is explained in the Buying Guide). So, it’s not the most powerful heater around, but it’s definitely got enough power to heat up a small tent.

The other great thing about this little heater is the price. With the black version coming in at less than $15, you’re not going to be able to find a cheaper way of keeping you warm on your camping trip. It’s also one of the safest options, with a tip-over safety shut off, flame-resistant housing, and overheating protection. Don’t forget to also check our guide to the best coolers for camping.

Key Features:

250 watts

2 heat settings

Tip-over shut off & flame-resistant housing

Powered by electricity

Specification:

BrandHoneywell

ModelHCE100B

Weight1.05 pounds

Pros

Very cheap and still powerful enough to heat small tents.

Sufficient safety features.

Cons

You have to plug it into a power outlet, so it’s not suitable for all types of camping.

Not powerful enough for large tents.

3

Comfort Zone CZ707 Tent Heater

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If you’re looking for an electric tent heater with a bit more power, the Comfort Zone CZ707 is a great option. They don’t actually seem to publish their wattage online, but a quick test shows that the high setting uses around 930 watts and the low setting uses around 520 watts. On the plus side, that’s plenty of power to heat even a large tent, but it’s going to cost a lot of money to run in the home. Of course, on a camping trip, you pay to use the campsite’s electricity, so it shouldn’t really matter.

Admittedly, it’s not the best-looking tent space heater around, but it gets the job done. It’s relatively quiet and has an adjustable thermostat so you can get the temperature in your tent just right so you don’t have to carry a lot of camping blankets. And, it has a fan setting, which makes it pretty useful for the winter as well. It’s also got power and caution safety lights and a tip-over safety switch.

Key Features:

500-950 watts

2 heat settings + fan

Tip-over shut off & caution lights

Powered by electricity

Specification:

BrandComfort Zone

ModelCZ707

Weight3 pounds

Pros

Quite affordable and powerful.

Sufficient safety features

Cons

You have to plug it into a power outlet, so it’s not suitable for all types of camping.

Not the most attractive tent heater out there.

4

Mr. Heater F215100 MH4B Little Buddy Propane Heater

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This is the second heater from Mr. Heater’s range of portable heaters, so we already knew it was going to be a good one! With a power output of 3800 BTUs, it’s not quite as powerful as the first one, but it makes up for it by being even more portable. The clever design means that it uses the propane tank as a stand and takes up as little space as possible, so it can fit easily on your camping table. Mr. Heater F215100 MH4B Little Buddy has a 45-degree angle, which means that you can put it on the floor and the heat is directed upwards at your body.

This company thinks about everything when it comes to safety. Like most of the heaters on this list, they have a tip-over safety switch and metal grill to guard the heated area. But they also include an oxygen shut-off system (ODS), which turns the heater off if it detects a lack of oxygen in the air. This is super important with gas heaters as they consume oxygen, and you should always remember to keep the tent properly ventilated. It also has a handle that means you can attach it to things, making it a great backpacking tent heater. Make sure you also check our guide to the best sleeping bags.

Key Features:

3,800 BTUs

Heats 95 square feet

Low-oxygen & tip-over shut off

Powered by propane

Specification:

BrandMr. Heater

ModelF215100

Weight5.91 pounds

Pros

Perfect if you liked the first Mr. Heater but don’t need that much power.

Excellent safety features.

Cons

The instructions aren’t that easy to follow.

5

Camco 57341 Olympian Wave-6 6000 BTU LP Gas Catalytic Heater

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If you’ve got money to burn, then you should check out this heater from Camco. It’s one of the most expensive heaters on this list, but it’s got the stats to back it up. It puts out an impressive 3,200 to 6,000 BTUs depending on how high you have the heat setting. Interestingly, that makes it less powerful than Mr. Heater’s Buddy we chose as our Best Choice product, but it actually heats 5 square feet more than the Buddy. That’s because it uses catalytic heating, which is much more efficient than flame-type heating.

To be honest, Camco 57341 Olympian Wave-6 6000 BTU LP Gas Catalytic Heater is going to be too powerful unless you’ve got a massive RV. Plus, you have to have it installed to the gas mains, so it’s not really suitable for camping in a tent. But, on the other hand, it can be used as an alternative heating method for the home. It’s wall-mountable and has a piezo sparker that will last for 2000 ignitions. Our handy guide to the best double sleeping bags features more great products like this.

Key Features:

3,200 – 6,000 BTUs

Heats 230 square feet

Safety shut-off valve

Powered by gas mains

Specification:

BrandCamco

Model57341

Weight14 pounds

Pros

Very powerful and efficient heater.

Cons

Needs to be installed into the mains.

Not that much in the way of safety features.

6

Texsport Sportsmate Portable Propane Heater

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If you’re looking for a cheaper propane camping tent heater, this Texsport Sportsmate Portable Propane Heater is one of the best. Like the Mr. Heater Little Buddy, this one uses a propane tank as a stand. It puts out 3,000 BTUs which is controlled by a simple on/off switch. That gives it enough power to handle any medium-sized tent.

It doesn’t have a tip-over shut off switch, which could be problematic if you don’t have a solid surface to put it on, but it does turn the fuel off if the flame goes out and has a safety grid. So, it’s pretty safe, but it’s probably not a good idea to leave it on overnight. Find more great products like this by checking out our guide to the best camping mattresses.

Key Features:

3,000 BTUs

On/off control valve

Safety shut-off valve

Powered by propane

Specification:

BrandTexsport

Model14223

Weight2 pounds

Pros

Very affordable for a propane heater.

Cons

Doesn’t have enough safety features to be left on overnight.

7

Honeywell HZ-0360 Surround Heat Heater

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The Honeywell HZ-0360 is the bigger and more powerful version of the Honeywell Heat Bud we featured earlier. At 1500 watts, Honeywell HZ-0360 Surround Heat Heater is a lot more powerful than the Heat Bud and puts out a lot more heat. The main difference though is that the heater is 360-degrees, which means it puts heat out all around the tent or room. It also has two heat settings and a fan setting, which makes it much more versatile than a lot of the heaters on this list.

On top of that, it has a really useful carry handle and a sturdy base to stop it from falling over. And, in terms of safety features, it’s got tip-over safety shut-off and overheating protection. You may also like to check our guide to the best camping chairs so that your camping experience is as pleasant as you like it to be.

Key Features:

750-1500 watts

2 heat settings + fan

Tip-over shut off & overheating protection

Powered by electricity

Specification:

BrandHoneywell

ModelHZ-0360

Weight4.65 pounds

Pros

Cheap and reasonably powerful electric heater.

Sufficient safety features.

Cons

You have to plug it into a power outlet, so it’s not suitable for all types of camping.

8

Mr. Heater MH18B Portable Propane Heater

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This is the biggest version of the ‘Buddy’ range from Mr. Heater. That means you get a lot of the same features and technology, but with even more power. With 4,000 – 18,000 BTUs, it’s the most powerful heater on this list by far. That heating power is multiplied by the fact that it has a battery-powered blower that pushes the heat out. Mr. Heater MH18B Portable Propane Heater can heat up to 450 square feet, which means it’s really not suitable for a small tent. It’s better-suited to heating large tents, RVs, party tents, or even your home. Plus, you can adjust the temperature to either low, medium, or high, so it’s pretty versatile.

The carry handle makes it really easy to move around, even if it is larger than a lot of tent heaters. But, the best thing about the heaters from Mr. Heater are the safety features. It’s got a safety grill, tip-over safety switch, and an oxygen safety shut-off. And for more sleeping options, check out our guide to the best camping cots.

Key Features:

3,000 – 18,000 BTUs

Heats 450 square feet

Low-oxygen & tip-over shut off

Powered by propane

Specification:

BrandMr. Heater

ModelF274830

Weight16.93 pounds

Pros

You’re not going to go to sleep cold.

Excellent safety features.

Cons

We can’t find anything wrong with it.

9

Lasko CD09250 Ceramic Portable Space Heater

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This small electric heater is another great option if your campsite has electrical hook-ups. Lasko CD09250 Ceramic Portable Space Heater is built primarily for use in the home or office, which means it’s not really designed for use in your tents, but it’ll actually work really well. It has three heat settings and an adjustable thermostat, which makes it really versatile. The power output is 1500 watts and all of the settings are surprisingly quiet.

Aside from that, it has a convenient carry handle and is small enough to easily move around with one hand. Then, in terms of safety features, it’s got an automatic overheating switch-off and a cool-touch exterior. However, it doesn’t have a tip-over switch, which means you’ll have to make sure it’s very secure. Don’t forget to also check our guide to the best camping tables.

Key Features:

1500 watts

3 heat settings

Automatic overheating shut-off

Powered by electricity

Specification:

BrandLasko

ModelCD09250

Weight3.5 pounds

Pros

Cheap and reasonably powerful electric heater.

Okay safety features.

Cons

Doesn’t have a tip-over switch off.

Tent Heater Buying Guide & FAQ

Features To Look For In Tent Heaters

Size & Weight-Unless you’ve got a massive ten-person tent to yourself, you’re going to have to think about space. You can’t buy a huge heater for a pop-up tent. Plus, you are going to have to move the heater from the car and you can’t always drive right up to the pitch. So, it’s important to buy something small and easy to move.

Portability-Like we said already, you should be looking for a portable heater for tent use. Setting up your camp can be difficult enough, you don’t want to have to move a huge heavy heater.

Heat Output-The heat output of propane heaters and radiators is measured by BTUs (British Thermal Units). For a relatively powerful tent heater, you should be looking for around 3000 BTUs or over. On electric heaters, the power output is measured in watts. If you multiply the wattage by three you will get a rough measurement of the BTUs (for example 100 watts x 3 = 300 BTUs).

Coverage Area-This is especially important if you’re heating a large tent. Most heater manufacturers will tell you how much space it can heat. This is also useful if you want to use your heater outside. The larger the coverage area the better it will be outside.

Noise-Noise is very important because you’re most likely to be using the heater when you’re trying to get to sleep. If it has a loud humming noise, it might make falling asleep difficult. Plus, you’ll annoy your campsite neighbours if you’re running a loud tent heater all night.

Safety Features-Naturally, heaters can be quite dangerous if they don’t have the correct safety features. Safe tent heaters for camping should have a grill in front of the heating area, automatic turn-off feature, and a flame-proof housing.

Durability-All camping equipment should be durable. You have to pack it and unpack it every time you go camping, which can result in damage. Plus, being outside can damage heaters that aren’t designed for it.

Types Of Tent Heaters

Electric – Electric heaters are cheaper and safer than gas heaters, but they’re not usually as powerful. Perfect for small tents, you can plug them into the camping electricity supply or sometimes into your car’s power output.

Gas – Gas heaters are more powerful but are, arguably, more dangerous. They can easily heat a large tent and shouldn’t take as long to do it. The other benefit is that you don’t have to plug them into anything, you just need a canister of propane.

Battery-Powered – A battery-powered tent heater is probably the most convenient way to heat your tent because you don’t have to plug it in. They’re not going to be particularly powerful, but are easy-to-use, portable, and safe.

Wood – Amazingly, you can get a wood-fired stove for your tent. You are going to need a pretty big tent though. We haven’t included any in our list, because they’re really niche products that aren’t going to be of any use to the average camper.

How To Safely Use A Tent Heater

The first thing is to choose a safe tent heater with safety features already built in. You should be looking for a grill to cover the heating area and an automatic switch-off feature if the heater gets knocked over. You can also buy heaters with carbon monoxide detectors inside. Here are some other tips:

Keep your heater in the tallest part of the tent, so the heater has room above it.

Keep it on a flat, fireproof surface. Preferably a table with thick fireproof material in front of it, in case it falls over.

Keep a tent window open, so you still have some ventilation.

Tent Heater FAQ

Q: What is a Tent Heater?

A: A small heater that is used primarily for camping, but can also be used for fishing, hunting, or other outdoor activities. They are powered by electric, gas, or wood and are small enough to fit inside a small area. They also have safety features that make them appropriate to use inside a tent.

Q: How does a Tent Heater work?

A: It depends on what type of tent heater you purchase. Basically, they heat up the air inside the tent which makes your body temperature rise.

Q: How to calculate how many gas cylinders are needed for a hike?

A: You need to find out how long your gas cylinder is going to last and work out how much you will need to have the heater on. All heaters will burn gas at different rates and you should be able to find out how quickly they’ll burn one canister.

Q: Is it safe to heat a tent overnight while I am sleeping?

A: Yes, if you find a heater that has the required safety features for use in a tent. Check out the safety features and make sure the heater is on a flat, solid surface. If you don’t feel confident about leaving it on overnight, heat the tent for half an hour before your sleep.

Q: How long will the Heater run on a small propane tank?

A: It depends on the size of the propane tank and the power of the heater. Some heaters will offer an estimation for how long the heater will run on one tank.

Q: How long does it take for Heater to cool down?

A: Again, it depends on the heater and how hot it is. A good general rule is to give your heater around 30 minutes to cool down.